Cuban Athletes Are Source Of Pride

KINGSTON, JAMAICA — The sports system in Cuba is small but still powerful, like the country, said Alberto Juantorena, former Cuban Olympic track champion.

The IAAF council member insists his country's sports system is strong despite Cuba's economic and political problems over the past decade.

Several Olympic hopefuls have left from neighboring Jamaica, including Florida Atlantic freshman Manuel Huerta, the nation's top-ranked junior in triathlon. However, talent and depth remain in Cuba's strongest sports: baseball, boxing, volleyball, team handball, track and field and weightlifting.

"When Cuba sends a team to compete anywhere in the world, they are going to be the best and going to win medals," Huerta said. "If they are not ready to win, they do not compete."

Cuba sent a team of 13 athletes to Jamaica for the IAAF World Junior Track and Field Championships at National Stadium. The team won four medals, including three gold.

"We are very happy," said Juantorena, vice minister for INDER, the governing body for sports in Cuba and head of the Cuban delegation at the junior worlds.

"We may have a small team, but we are very strong. What makes Cuban athletes strong is their will to succeed and work hard to reach their goals for their country. We are absolutely proud to have a socialist system in sport.

"We have less and less than other countries. Sometimes we do not have the finances we need, but we have everything they need to train and compete and travel outside the country."

Triple jumpers David Giralt and Mabel Gay and 100-meter hurdler Anay Tejeda, the world leaders in their events, ended their junior careers at the meet. They are expected to represent Cuba at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.

Giralt is the son of the only Cuban jumper to beat Carl Lewis. The 17-year-old from Santiago clinched a silver at the 2001 World Youth Championships.

The same event is highlighted by Gay, with equal merits. After taking the national junior standard to 14.29 and consistent leaps over 14 meters, the 19-year-old is ready for the Olympics.

Cuba has great hopes in Havana's Tejeda. Seventh two years ago, she led the junior performance list in 2001 with 13.07 and this season has run more than four legal sub-13 times, including two 12.93s, 0.09 seconds shy of the world record.

Cuba's facilities may not be world-class, but the coaching system is, Juantorena said.

"Our system is very successful because we pay attention to the youngsters in the schools spread out all over the country," Juantorena said. "We had 7,500 athletes compete recently in our National Olympiad in all disciplines that are in the Olympics and Pan American Games.

"That is why our system is very strong. We have more than 77,000 physical education teachers from primary school to the university. Ninety-five percent of our athletes at the Olympics and Pan American Games came from this system. It is a very good system, not perfect, but all the glory that Cuba sports has comes from this source."